Ab 608 & Da 1431: South to Christchurch - April 2023 (HD) 

In Autumn 2023, Steam Incorporated in conjunction with Pounamu Tourism Group, ran another 'Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer' tour train, this time only venturing from Picton to Christchurch with an overnight stop at Kaikoura en route. The south-bound leg of the tour was steam hauled from Picton to Kaikoura by Ab 608, then diesel hauled by vintage diesel-electric Da 1431 to Christchurch. Ab 608 was tucked behind the Da to Waipara in light steam, where it would be stabled at the Weka Pass Railway until the tour train's return leg to Picton. Enjoy some heritage on the mainline in the South Island, at its finest!